Gen Z communication has been evolving because of this pandemic for better or for worse. Keyboard smashes, seenzoning, and oversocializing are all fair game now.

Even if most of our interactions now happen through Zoom, there are so many cues, verbal and non-verbal, that tells us about zoomers’ state of mind during the pandemic. These reflect in the way we speak which has slowly been changing more and more as we continue to be trapped in a world of self-isolation.

Not replying is now okay.

And it’s not only okay, it’s encouraged. Even before the pandemic hit, I’ve always had a reputation of not replying quickly enough to my friends because most of the time, I’m just not in the mood to. And the reality now is that a lot of people are starting to feel the same way.

Are you not feeling well enough to talk? Then don’t reply.

More often than not, people will understand. You’d get a lot of flack before when you wouldn’t reply to people or read their messages at all. But everyone is now becoming more sensitive of each other’s feelings as we all start to feel anxiety and uncertainty more often.

Now, the first thought that pops into our head when we encounter a slow replier isn’t how rude they’re being, but rather “I hope they’re okay”. Which is a good thing because everyone is finally understanding that just because you’re online does not mean you are always in the right disposition to talk.

We make a conversation out of anything.

Everyone’s lives has either been on pause or on slow motion ever since coronavirus hit. While we are trying our hardest to make memories in our homes, it’s safe to say that the progress in our lives has taken a big hit with the outside world being close to inaccessible.

This means that Gen Z communication is becoming more and more mundane as we struggle to create meaningful experiences. And because of that, we are running out of valuable material to go through with friends.

I want you to take a look at your recent conversations with friends and then ask yourself: what are you really talking about? Everything is becoming water-cooler conversations nowadays like the NBA Playoffs and what k-drama you’re watching. Some of the most memorable conversations I’ve had with people during quarantine involve skincare routines, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

And when asking someone how they are, they’d probably just give you the same tired answer: “just stuck in the house”.

For the sake of our sanity, we do make an effort to socialize with our loved ones. But we don’t really have anything substantial or new to talk about most of the time leading us to talk about things that don’t matter a lot. This is a challenge to you: why not go beyond pop culture or funny banter and get to know your friends a little bit deeper?

It’s easier to talk to old friends and strangers.

Even the most introverted of us are reaching out to people whom we never thought we’d be in contact with again. Being stuck at home means everyone has more time on their hands to scroll through their social media feeds, which means you’ll probably see more of your acquaintances interact with the posts that you share. Whether it be a like or a comment, everyone is craving for social interaction.

So when the conversations with your best friends are becoming stale, you might see yourself striking a conversation with someone whom you haven’t talked to in a long while. Maybe it was a person you met pre-COVID and never got the chance to interact with on a deeper level. Or maybe it’s a good friend from high school that disappeared in your life after graduation.

The crazy part is they’ll probably be up to talk to you too. Just watch as they reply with the same excitement that you have! While some people may not be up for a conversation all the time, this is the best time to talk with practically anybody. Why? Because a simple gesture like leaving a message in their DM’s will make them feel like they are not alone in this pandemic.

Overcommunication is real.

Ironically, the same people who want to be left alone in this pandemic are the ones who talk a lot too. Similar to how we may experience mood swings during the pandemic, our willingness to talk also flip flops. Gen Z communication is now defined by a neverending stop-and-go seesaw battle where one may just choose to spend the entire night chatting with people, or hiding from the online world.

What triggers this tendency to flip flop?

The first one is guilt. At times when we’re not in the frame of mind to have a conversation with people, we may feel bad for leaving them hanging. So when the time comes when we’re finally in the mood to reply, we may tend to start bombing their inbox with messages.

Aside from that, overcommunication is also a coping mechanism for those who need a sense of “normalcy” in their lives. Talking with people face-to-face is something everybody took for granted until the pandemic started. By starting conversations with others during quarantine, we are putting ourselves back in a mentally comfortable place where everything feels normal again.

And in addition to that, having a chat with someone is a great distraction from whatever hell is happening outside. Our overthinking may kick in the moment we are left alone with our thoughts.

We’ve forgotten how to communicate properly.

Gen Z communication was always weird in the eyes of older people. We could be typing gibberish and it would be sensible and funny to only us. So imagine doing most of your communication online with friends who all type weird like you.

As a reference, most of my conversations with fellow zoomers are just filled with keyboard smashes and all the synonyms to “lol” that you could think of. If we’re not doing any of those, we’re probably just using one of the reactions in Facebook Messenger or finding the perfect GIF/meme to use as a reply. It was perfectly fine before COVID hit because we complemented this form of communication with real-life, socially-acceptable interactions.

Now that most of us have not been able to go out to meet friends nor an authority figure (who is not our parent), we are forgetting what it’s like to talk like a functioning human being. The first wave of job interviews and online classes would probably be difficult for zoomers who have gotten used to light conversations that don’t require proper decorum.

When was the last time you were actually able to sustain a conversation with someone who required your full respect and courtesy? Zoomers now face the challenge of training or re-training themselves in the art of communication which has been getting more muddled as we spend more days in the pandemic.

Coronavirus has affected everything in our lives including our mental health. We have some tips that can help you cope with online classes. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Edward Janner on Pexels

The post How COVID-19 is Changing The Way Gen Z Communicates appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

With many schools transitioning to online classes as a response to coronavirus, there is a new problem that students should expect to face. It’s a form of anxiety that one gets from being on video calls with other people.

Social anxiety has taken on another form to what we’d like to call “Zoom anxiety”. Whether it’s by force or by one’s own accord, meeting with someone online can weigh heavily on someone and cause a great level of discomfort.

For the students who suffer from major social anxiety, online classes spell doom.

But how exactly does Zoom anxiety manifest itself in the ways we interact with the video conferencing app? Let’s take a look!

1. You open Zoom just in time.

Nobody likes small talk, especially through Zoom. That’s why when your meeting is scheduled at 11:30, you make sure you enter the room at exactly that time — not a second earlier. It’s better to be called our for being late than having to dabble in conversations while waiting for everyone to come in.

2. You spend too much time preparing how you look.

You pre-plan your clothes, lighting & background not because you want to look good, but because you don’t want to be judged. In a meeting with many people, it’s hard not to feel self-conscious when you know every action that you do will be caught on camera.

It only makes sense that you always have that fear of looking less than perfect when you’re in these calls.

3. Zoom is the last resort.

You’re also probably the person who hates receiving phone calls out of the blue. You make sure every means of communication is exhausted before agreeing to go on an online call with someone. Not only are Zoom meetings a major hassle, but things are just easier when people don’t have to hear nor see you speak.

4. You know the answer but you don’t unmute.

Being shy has a lot to do with social anxiety. And a person who’s already reluctant to speak their mind in a face-to-face situation may find it even more difficult to do so in a Zoom room.

Just imaging your big face pop up on Speaker View while your classmates hear every layer of your voice through their earphones makes you want to cringe. So in the end, you just let others speak up.

5. You practice what you’re going to say.

According to this article from Discovery Magazine, it may actually be a helpful way to relive some of your anxiety. When you have something to present on Zoom, you tend to overrehearse what you plan to say.

Hell, you may not even have a presentation, but you’re constantly thinking of possible things you’re going to say in the slight chance someone else in the meeting puts you on the spot.

6. Sharing your screen is a no-no.

To you, sharing your screen is like letting people take a peek in your diary; it’s just too personal for your liking. And when you have to do it, you’re always frightened and wary of what people may discover about you.

God forbid they see an embarrassing pop-up… or your browsing history!

7. Breakout rooms is code red.

You may not have heard about the breakout room feature of Zoom. But as someone who hates this, I must warn you about this awful feature beforehand.

If you’re in a bigger meeting, the host can break you out into smaller groups of their choosing. So this means that your teacher can put you in a room with classmates you have never spoken a word to before. Talk about an anxiety-inducing situation!

8. You hide your video at times.

Sometimes, Zoom anxiety can just hit out of nowhere. There are calls where you’re confident enough to turn on your video, but there are also days when it’s the total opposite. As a result of your internal panic, you simply shut off your camera so the rest of the world will leave you alone.

9. You leave the room ASAP.

There’s nothing like the feeling of clicking that red “Leave Meeting” button. While everyone else is still doing their post-meeting small talk or saying goodbye to each other, you’re the type to skedaddle out of there.

You will not let anyone see you on camera a second more than they need to, periodt.

Whether we like it or not, Zoom anxiety isn’t going anytime soon. We live in a day and age where video conferencing apps are becoming the norm, with or without coronavirus.

We don’t even use them just for school or work anymore. They’ve become useful in catching up with people who are apart from us. And even with these fun affairs, Zoom anxiety can still kick in.

So what can socially anxious people like ourselves do given everything? In this Style interview with Eugene Farrell, he gives one solid piece of advice: support our negative thoughts with facts. Because only then will you realize that all our anxiety is unfounded.

For example, if you feel like people will judge you for having messy hair in Zoom calls, then you’re letting your thoughts get ahead of the facts. Has anyone mocked you for it? Probably not!

Most probably, people don’t care. You’ve seen someone else with messy hair before, but you didn’t give a damn.

Carefully placing yourself in situations that give you anxiety can actually help you move past it. I remember staying mute (literally and figuratively) during my first months at work due to my Zoom anxiety. But I can tell you that I wouldn’t be as comfortable as I am today with the idea of video calls if I didn’t battle the overthinking in my head.

There are days where it still hits me, but it does get easier.

How has your experience been with Zoom? Let us know in the comments below. If you loved this article, then we have more relatable articles for zoomers like you! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Charles Deluvio and JESHOOTS.com

The post ‘Zoom Anxiety’ is a Real Problem (and 9 Signs You Have it) appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Zoom in the Philippines is just a whole ‘nother ballgame. Having group calls and e-numans through the video-conferencing app has been a staple in our lives under quarantine.

In fact, we’ve used it so much the past months that we could lump all your friends and colleagues into one of these ten stereotypes, depending on how you act in a Zoom room. The question is: which one are you?

1. The Local Channel Watcher

There’s always that friend who’s on the call with their TV turned on in the background. And for some reason, it’s always tuned in at a time when news are on.

Then there are also times when you’d hear something religious blaring from the TV, like a priest celebrating Mass or reciting a prayer. Definitely not a good time to be talking about sex in your call.

2. The Virtual Background Enthusiast

This person likes to change their Zoom backgrounds to get some laughs in the meeting room. Or maybe it’s just a manifestation of their inner fear of being stuck indoors forever. Probably that.

The Virtual Background Enthusiast is also the person in the call who’s obsessed with dank memes. It’s just the law of nature.

3. The Tita Photobomber Victim

When taking your calls in a shared space, it’s inevitable that somebody pops up in your background… like your mom. However, the Tita Photobomber Victim’s mother just doesn’t care if the others see her in her pambahay clothes, gingerly doing house chores in her leisure time.

Tita will even initiate conversations with her “victim” while the call is ongoing. She just doesn’t give a damn!

One thing’s for sure though: Zoom in the Philippines is definitely more entertaining with her around.

4. The Epitome of “Go Girl, Give Us Nothing”

They’re the person who barely gets a word in throughout the entire meeting. Maybe they’re not fond of online interaction, maybe they’re tired, or maybe they’re just really shy.

But hey, if you look at them once in a while, you’ll see them laughing along with everyone else. It’s a sign that their soul hasn’t been thoroughly sucked out yet!

5. The Chaotic Host

Joseph Stalin, who? Great dictators from history got nothing on this one. Be careful which person you give hosting powers to, because if they end up in the wrong hands, it will be pure chaos!

Nicknames will be changed, participants will be muted, and yes, people will get kicked out.

6. The Electric Fan King/Queen

Ah yes, probably everyone’s favorite person in the Zoom room. The extreme heat means everyone has to turn on their electric fan to get some of that cold air. But no one, and we mean no one, wants to hear that buzzing sound in their ears.

Raise your hand if you’re the bitch who calls out someone when their electric fan is being too loud in a call. I just did.

7. The Pet Show-off

There will come a time when somebody’s dog or cat “accidentally” enters the frame. And I placed that in quotation marks because they’re not fooling anyone, we know this person just wants to show everybody how cute their pet is!

So this is what always happens in this situation: the whole conversation stops as the person expresses (fake) surprise that their pet is suddenly on their lap, everyone stops for fifteen seconds to go gaga over it, some small talk ensues about something “crazy” that the pet did recently, and then everybody carries on with the previous conversation.

8. The Camera-Conscious

This person just isn’t used to being on-cam like us famous stars; they can’t go a minute without touching their hair and face!

Practicing their angles and poses for the gram is how they pass time when they’re on mute. Somebody has to tell them that this is definitely “America’s Next Best Friend”, and not America’s Next Top Model.

9. The Choppy Magician

You know what makes Zoom in the Philippines so different? Our extremely slow internet! I can count in one hand the number of times I’ve been in a call where nobody got disconnected because of extremely abysmal internet.

This person could be saying the most melancholic heartfelt words on earth then suddenly get cut off mid-sentence. Or worse, disappear.

And then reappear… just to disappear again.

They probably hear “ano raw?” and “choppy ka” a lot in these calls. Those words are music to their ears. And when they see that their internet connection is unstable, they’re secretly praying that their video didn’t freeze at a time that made them look like a dumbass.

10. The Skincare Routine Girl

Never watched a beauty vlog in your entire life? Well don’t worry, because this person has you covered.

They’ll do their entire ten-step skincare routine on camera for everyone to watch, not realizing that the oils and product that they put on their face makes them look ridiculous. Or they do, but they just don’t care.

Isn’t Zoom in the Philippines just so colorful? Kidding aside, having an avenue to connect with each other during this pandemic really helps with our sanity. And having all these personalities come together in one virtual room helps the party get started!

So no matter what you’re like in Zoom, we’re happy that you exist. Even you Electric Fan Kings!

Who did we miss out on our list? Leave a comment below!

Having e-numans and Zoom calls are just a few items on our quarantine bucket list that we’ve crossed off. How about you? Take this fun quiz to find out! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter for more entertaining content.

The post 10 Types of Filipinos You’ll Meet in Zoom Calls and Meetings appeared first on Zoomers Corner.